Benjamin e



(No Model.)

B. R. HAND.

WASHING MACHINE.

Patented Ma rig". 1T

WITNESSES:

Nv PETERS. Plwwumo n hu, Washington. 0.1:.

NITED TATES BENJAMIN R. HAND, OF CAMDEN, NE\V JERSEY.

WASHING- MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 362,740, dated May 10,1887.

Serial No. 207,385. (No model.)

To aZZ whom, it may concern.-

Be it known that I, BENJAMIN R. HAND, a citizen oft-he United States,residing in the city and county of Camden, State of New Jersey, haveinvented a new and useful Improvement in \Vashing-Machines, whichimprovement is fully set forth in the following specification andaccompanying drawings, in which Figure l-represents an end view of awashing-machine embodying my invention. Fig. 2 represents a centrallongitudinal vertical section thereof in line 00 00, Fig. 1. Fig. 3represents a top or plan view of the wash board or beater and connectedparts. Fig. 4 represents a transverse vertical section in line line 3 y,Fig. 2.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the severalfigures.

My invention consists ofa washing-machine having a wash-board which mayyield to the thickness and irregularities of the article to be washed,and is subjected to pressure, as will be hereinafter fully set forth andclaimed.

Referring to the drawings, A represents the box or tub of awashing-machine; and B, the bottom thereof, the latter being fluted,corrugated, or slatted, forming a rubbing-surface.

0 represents a movable wash-board, rubber, or beater, the same beingformed of fluted, corrugated, or slatted pieces of wood or othermaterial, firmly connected at its center with a frame, D. Rising fromthe center of the frame D are vertical stirrups E, having verticalguideways, through which passes a crank-shaft, F, whose bearings G areon the under side of the lid H of the tub, said shaft receiving rockingmotions from a pitman, J, a power-wheel, K, and suitable gearings, L,whereby motions are imparted to the wash-board in opposite directions.The crank-shaft is so constructed as to make ashort movement, thuscausing the movable wash-board to rub the clothes without folding up thesame, which would happen if the crank-shaft had a long throw.

M represents a spring which is connected with the crank-shaft F andbears on the upper side of the opposite ends of the board 0.

If desired, rollers may be mounted on the ends of the spring, as shownby the dotted lines, Fig. 3.

The operation is as follows: Thelidis raised and the wash-board followsthe motion thereof, whereby the garments or other articles to be washedmay be placed on the bottom rubber, B, the lid then being returned toits normal position. Power is now applied to the washboard by theoperation of the crank-handle of the gearing L, whereby the articles aresubjected to the actions of the board and rubber, and thus effectuallywashed, the board being held to its work by means of the spring M, andis permitted to rise and fall, due to irregularities in the articles,either at its ends or parallel with the bottom rubber, this beingpermitted by the stirrups E, which are freely fitted to the crank-shaftF, and both oscillate and vertically move on said shaft, the pressure ofthe spring being continuous, owing to its connection with thecrank-shaft, it being noticed that the latter is utilized as the meansfor holding the spring in position, so that the parts of the machine aresimple, inexpensive, and compact.

Having thus described my inventioii,\\'hat I claim as new, and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is

A washingmachine having a wash-hoard, a stirrup which is secured to thecenter of said wash-board and havinga vertical guideway, an operatingcrank-shaft which is freely titted in said guideway of the stirrup, anda spring which is attached at its center to said crankshaft and havingits ends bearing against the ends of the wash-board, the several partsbeing combined and operating substantially as described.

* B. R. HAND.

lVitnesses:

JOHN A. WIEDERsIIEIM, A. 1?. GRANT.

